"Don't think we may not be on the list, or on the next list within the LHIN's program," Fertich warned aldermen, after they wavered on supporting correspondence from the City of Port Colborne calling for the status quo when it comes to care at hospitals under the Niagara Health System (NHS) umbrella.

"In all due fairness, you have to try and go forward as a united front," Fertich, who represents Grimsby Council on the WLMH board, said Monday night. "Even though we're not part of the NHS, we're part of the same LHIN."

Mayor Bob Bentley cautioned supporting the correspondence particularly because it referred to the desire for a centralized regional hospital, due to the possibility of the NHS relocating some of its programs, including obstectrics and pediatrics, to a new mega hospital in St. Catharines. He described it as a "complex issue."

"It's not a united front," Bentley warned. "(Municipalities are) doing their own fight, for their own services."

Bentley did note it would have some merit, however, to seek input from WLMH CEO David Bird, about whether or not the service delivery reviews, which are being done in Niagara and in Hamilton, will have an impact on WLMH.

"There have been some indications we might be in the next wave," said Bentley. "We may want to get the feedback from our hospital and have David Bird give us an idea if we're at risk."

Fertich said it is the premise of providing support.

He said he wouldn't want to lose the hospital in this municipality, so the town should be supporting its neighbours in their fight.

Ald. Steve Berry said complex or not, he believes all municipalities should stand united.

"As complex as it could be, people are not going to survive the drive," he said, referring to a note from Port Colborne Council that it will be a 50-minute drive from the city to the proposed regional hospital in St. Catharines.

"We almost lost our hospital here and I feel for them," said Ald. Dave Wilson of the other municipalities.

Fertich will be taking the issue to some of his fellow municipal counterparts about the issue to seek their input before potentially taking it to the WLMH board.